Manchester United could attempt to strike a bargain deal to take Angel Gomes back to Old Trafford as the midfielder is said to be edging closer to an exit from Lille. The England international joined the French club nearly four-and-a-half years ago but is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
Gomes came through the academy at Old Trafford but moved to France after featuring just 10 times for the Red Devils first-team.
The 24-year-old has established himself with his current employers and was handed his England debut by Lee Carsley last month as the Three Lions defeated the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
According to L’Equipe, there are no signs that Gomes will renew his contract with Lille. And if he doesn’t put pen-to-paper on fresh terms by the end of the year, he will be free to sign a pre-contract with a club that isn’t based in France.
United could therefore decide to chase the player’s signature at the earliest opportunity after reportedly expressing an interest in the ace already.
Gomes is said to be attracting attention from clubs across Europe and was quizzed about a return to the Premier League during an interview earlier this month.
And he explained: “As amazing as it would be, after finding happiness abroad I know [playing in the Premier League] is not the be-all and end-all.” He then added: “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot, so of course it’d be difficult to say no.”
Gomes, who has started six of Lille’s seven Ligue 1 matches this term, was praised by United hero Roy Keane and Arsenal icon Ian Wright after impressing on his full England debut against Finland three days after the Republic of Ireland clash.
And former United star Nicky Butt, who coached Gomes during his time overseeing the Red Devils academy, recently stated: “I think he can do better than some of the teams that will be in for him in the Premier League.
“The Spanish league is written all over for Angel. He could play in the Premier League easily. He could play for [Manchester] City tomorrow.
“When Angel left United, I said to him, ‘You’re going to go on and have an unbelievable career and I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up playing against Manchester United for Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next five, six, seven years’. Because he was that good.
“And I’m not just saying that now that he’s made his England debut, I genuinely thought that a long time ago.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk